Method and system for playing a card game

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for playing a card game are disclosed. The card game may be played with a real deck of cards and an associated playing surface, a virtual deck of cards as part of a virtual card game on a processor-based platform, representations of one or more cards in a lottery type game or the like. The card game combines the apparent attractiveness of casino wagering with a user-friendly method of play while still prompting the spontaneous wagering on the seemingly even or higher odds money bets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application claims priority to provisional U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/361,664, filed on Feb. 18, 2003. This application is acontinuation-in-part of copending application number 10/778,500 filed onFeb. 13, 2004. The nonprovisional application designated, namelyapplication Ser. No. 10/778,500, filed Feb. 13, 2004, claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/361,664, filed Feb. 18, 2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a card game. Moreparticularly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate tomethods and systems for playing a card game in conjunction withwagering.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, casinos have a variety of wagering games for people'senjoyment. These games include slot machines, craps, roulette andothers. Other games include various types of card games, such as poker,blackjack or twenty-one, keno, baccarat, and the like. Such games havealso been adapted to electronic or software versions, that allow playwithout the need for a dealer for example, and that can be playedinteractively on the Internet for example. Although some of these gameshave been around for many years, players enjoy the novelty of newwagering games. Further, particularly for the more novice player,wagering can be intimidating because some of the typical games areperceived as being overly complicated. Card games are a popular type oftable game available at casinos, and players are always looking for newcard games that are exciting.

From the casino owner's view, there is an interest in providing gamesthat are easy to play, and yet provide large stakes to draw moreplayers. There is also a desire to maximize the types of games that areavailable to appeal to different players, and thus an interest indeveloping new table or electronic games for the clientele. Such gamesare desirably of a character that will attract and continue to draw moreplayers, and increase revenues to the casinos and wageringestablishments.

Another popular game in the casino is roulette. The game includeselements of simplicity, apprehension, excitement, luck, bets withvarious odds that players can wager on and other unique aspects. Thestandard roulette game uses a wheel or bowl, and a This game includes awheel or bowl having 38 stations (the numbers 1 through 36, Zero, andDouble Zero), and a ball which is cast onto the spinning wheel andsubsequently positions on one of the stations as the wheel slows down.Half of the 36 numbers are odd and red, and the other half are even andblack. Additionally, the Zero and Double Zero are green in color.Players are afforded the option of placing a variety of wagers including(1) odd or even, (2) red or black, (3) individual numbers, (4)combinations of numbers (e.g. four numbers), and (5) various ranges ofnumbers such as 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36. If the ball lands upon Zero (0)or Double Zero (00), the players lose all wagers except wagersspecifically placed on these two stations. These different bets havediffering odds depending on the nature of the bet and statisticalanalysis.

The seemingly even money bets provided in the game of roulette attractsmany people, but larger odds bets can also be very attractive toplayers. The bets available in roulette, such as bets of red or black,or odd or even, are simple and make even a novice player feel capable.At the same time, people are also generally more comfortable andfamiliar with, card games.

It would be advantageous to provide a card game that could beimplemented as a table game, electronic and/or software game, or asotherwise desired to provide unique characteristics that createsynergism between different wagering games, and provide players with avariety of bets and odds. Further limitations and disadvantages ofconventional, traditional, and proposed approaches will become apparentto one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems andmethods with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of thepresent application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of playing acard game, whether using cards or representations of cards. The methodcomprises providing at least one deck of playing cards and shuffling thedeck such that the playing cards are put into a substantially unknownrandom order. The method further comprises placing at least one wager bybetting a monetary amount and attempting to correctly guess at least onefeature of a resultant top card of the shuffled deck before any featureof the top card is revealed. The method further includes flipping atleast one card of the shuffled deck to reveal all features of the atleast one card. The method also includes paying any winning wageraccording to the monetary amount bet and odds associated with thewinning wager. Alternatively, the game may be played usingrepresentations of cards, which may be “shuffled” or randomized for usein playing the game. For example, the game may be played in the style ofan instant lottery game, where representations of cards are printed on aticket or other medium, and selectively revealed to play the game. Insuch an embodiment, the player may be able to choose the wager or a setwagering scheme may be used, to make instant winning possible.

An embodiment of the present invention also provides a processor-basedsystem for implementing a virtual card game. The processor-based systemcomprises at least one processor to execute playing of the virtual cardgame, and wherein the playing of the virtual card game comprises thesteps of providing at least one virtual deck of playing cards, andelectronically shuffling the at least one virtual deck of playing cardssuch that the playing cards are put into a substantially unknown randomorder. Thereafter, the player electronically places at least one wagerrelating to attempting to correctly guess at least one feature of aresultant top card of the virtual shuffled deck before any feature ofthe top card is revealed. After wagering, electronically flipping thetop card of the virtual shuffled deck to reveal all features of the topcard, and electronically paying any winning wager according to themonetary amount bet and odds associated with the winning wager. Thesystem further comprises a program memory interfacing to the at leastone processor to store software associated with the virtual card gameand a user interface connecting to the at least one processor to allow aplayer of the virtual card game to select various functional inputs ofthe virtual card game. The system further comprises an image memoryinterfacing to the at least one processor to store image data of thevirtual card game to be displayed. The system also includes a displaycontroller interfacing to the image memory to extract image data fromthe image memory in a controlled manner and to convert the image data tovideo data. The system further includes a display interfacing to thedisplay controller to accept the video data from the display controllersuch that the video data is presented to the player on the display.

These and other advantages and novel features of the present invention,as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be morefully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the invention as implemented on an electronicgame machine system.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary flowchart of an embodiment of a method of playinga card game, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary schematic block diagram of an embodimentof a processor-based system for implementing a virtual card game usingthe method of FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a first embodiment of a user interface imagedisplayed by the processor-based system of FIG. 3, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a betting window image displayed bythe processor-based system of FIG. 3, in accordance with various aspectsof the present invention.

FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image used inthe processor-based system of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that thevirtual deck of cards is being shuffled, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image used inthe processor-based system of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that thevirtual deck of cards is being cut, in accordance with various aspectsof the present invention.

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image used inthe processor-based system of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that atleast one of his wagers is a winning wager, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image used inthe processor-based system of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that noneof his wagers are a winning wager, in accordance with various aspects ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of a user interface imagedisplayed by the processor-based system of FIG. 3, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a playing surface layoutdepicting the positioning of multiple players, a dealer, and staff for anon-virtual version of the method of FIG. 2, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a playing surface layoutto accommodate position betting for a non-virtual version of the methodof FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a card gameor representational game is provided that combines the apparentattractiveness of casino-type wagering with a user-friendly method ofplay while still prompting spontaneous wagering on various conservativeor more risky odds money bets. Embodiments of the present inventionrelate to a card game that allows the player (or players) to placewagers for a variety of different odds bets, while being simple tounderstand and play. In accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention, representations of or actual typical playing cardsare used. Additionally, the card game adds various features and wagersto enhance the attractiveness and enjoyment of the game of chance.

As used herein, the term “playing cards” shall mean actual playing cardsor any other representation of playing cards, whether electronically orotherwise.

As used herein, the term “shuffling” shall mean any physical or otherrepresentation or step of mixing playing cards in a normal randomfashion, whether electronically or otherwise.

As used herein, the term “wagering or placing at least one wager” shallmean any physical or other representation or step of placing monetary orpsuedo-monetary bets in a normal gambling sense, whether electronicallyor otherwise.

As used herein, the term “flipping” shall mean any physical or otherrepresentation or step of turning over or revealing playing cards in anormal fashion, whether electronically or otherwise.

As used herein, the term “paying” shall mean any physical or otherrepresentation or step of paying on a monetary or psuedo-monetary bet ina normal gambling sense, whether electronically or otherwise.

As used herein, the term “cutting” shall mean any physical or otherrepresentation or step of reordering playing cards in a normal randomfashion, whether electronically or otherwise.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the cardgame is played on a stand-alone kiosk game machine 10, similar to videopoker machines common in casinos and other gambling establishments. Thegame machine 10 provides representations of typical cards on a videomonitor 12, and includes operator controls 14 for playing of the game.Typically, playing the game is initiated by inserting money or creditcard information, allowing an amount to be used for betting by theplayer, on a game-by-game, debit or other suitable basis. The game maythen be implemented in software, wherein FIG. 2 represents a flowchartof an embodiment of a method 100 of playing a card game, in accordancewith various aspects of the present invention. In step 110, at least onedeck of playing cards is provided. In step 120, the deck of playingcards is shuffled such that the playing cards are put into asubstantially unknown random order. In step 130, at least one wager isplaced by betting a monetary amount and attempting to guess at least onefeature of one or more resultant cards of the shuffled deck before anyfeature of the one or more cards is revealed. As an example, one cardcould be used to play the game, and in step 140, the top card of theshuffled deck is flipped to reveal all of the true features of the topcard. In step 150, any winning wager is paid according to the monetaryamount bet and the odds associated with the winning wager. An embodimentof the present invention contemplates payoff odds in direct relation tothe probabilities of occurrence. In accordance with an alternativeembodiment of the present invention, the deck of playing cards may beshuffled after a wager is placed.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the deck ofplaying cards comprises a conventional deck of 52 cards. The shufflingof the cards in step 120 is typically performed by a dealer of the cardgame and players of the card game place wagers. As an alternativeembodiment, after shuffling in step 120, the deck of cards may be cut tochange the resultant one or more cards before revealing the features ofthe one or more cards. The cards may be cut by a player or by thedealer, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

Typically, the dealer flips over the resultant top one or more cards toreveal the features of the top card(s). In the example of using the topcard, the features of the top card include a face value of the card (2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, or A), a suit of the card (clubs,spades, diamonds, or hearts), and a color of the card (black or red).The suit usually defines the color of the card (e.g., diamonds andhearts are red and clubs and spades are black). Also, a special cardknown as a Joker, may be used in the deck, resulting in a deck of 53cards.

As an example, a player may decide to place a wager by betting $100.00that a feature of the resultant top card will be a heart. The oddsassociated with guessing a heart may be, for example, 4-to-one sincethere are four suits (clubs, spades, hearts, diamonds) and the chancesof guessing any one suit correctly is 4-to-one. If the resultant topcard, after shuffling and/or cutting of the deck, is a heart, then theplayer wins $400.00 (because of the 4-to-one odds). However, if theresultant top card is not a heart, then the player loses his $100.00 betto the dealer (i.e., the house running the game).

As another example, a player may decide to place a wager by betting$25.00 that the features of the resultant top card will be a face valueof ace and a suit of hearts (i.e., the ace of hearts). Since there aretypically 52 cards in a deck, the odds may be, for example, 52-to-one.If the resultant top card is not the ace of hearts, then the playerloses his $25.00 bet to the dealer (i.e., the house). However, if theresultant top card is the ace of hearts, then the player wins$25.00×52=$1300.00 from the house.

Although the above example relates to playing the game using the topcard of a shuffled deck (or like randomly chosen card), it is alsocontemplated that more than one card could be used in playing the game.For example, the game may allow for the flipping of multiple cards,wherein wagers placed by the player are applied to each of the multiplecards, thereby increasing the chances of a winning bet with at least oneof the flipped cards. Alternatively, different wagers could be made toapply to each of the plurality of cards. The multiple cards could beflipped simultaneously or successively, and the number of cards used canvary. As a further alternative, multiple cards could be used torepresent different types of wagers. For example, the first card flippedmay be designated for paying off wagering related to suit, another forpaying off relative to the card face value, another to be designated forpaying off wagers for both suit and face value, or other such approachesas desired. As can be seen, the possible variations are numerous, andany such approach is contemplated by the present invention.

As an alternative embodiment, the game may be presented for playing inthe form of an instant lottery ticket or the like, whereinrepresentations of one or more cards are printed or otherwise providedon a ticket or the like. Such representations may typically be masked orcovered in some way, and subsequently selectively revealed to play thegame. In such an embodiment, the wager placed on the game could also beselected by the player, or the odds of winning chosen by a player, as apart of playing the game, or such variables may be set by the gamedistributor, as desired. In such an embodiment, the placing of a wagerby the player may simply comprise buying the lottery ticket. Again, oneor more card representations could be utilized in such an embodiment.

Additionally, one ordinarily skilled in the art can appreciate, and itis contemplated that the method of play described herein may be adaptedto a computerized format included, but not limited to, the Internet,personal computers, and video games. It is further contemplated that themethod of play described herein may be adapted to a mechanical apparatusincluding, but not limited to, a slot machine-type apparatus.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary schematic block diagram of an embodimentof a processor-based system 200 for implementing a virtual card gameusing the method 100 of FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspects ofthe present invention. The system 200 comprises a processor 210, aprogram memory 220 storing virtual card game software 225, a userinterface 230, an image memory 240, a display controller 250, and adisplay 260.

The processor 210 interfaces to the program memory 200 and executes thevirtual card game software 225. The user interface 230 connects to theprocessor 210 to allow a player of the virtual card game to selectvarious functional inputs of the virtual card game. The image memory 240interfaces to the processor 210 to store image data to be displayed. Thedisplay controller 250 interfaces to the image memory 240 to extractimage data from the image memory in a controlled manner and convert theimage data to video data. The display 260 interfaces to the displaycontroller 250 to accept video data from the display controller 250 suchthat the video data is presented to a player on the display 260.

The virtual card game software 225 is the executable program to run thevirtual card game. The user interface 230 may comprise, for example, akeyboard, a mouse, a touch-screen (i.e., the user interface 230 iscombined with the display 260), or push buttons. The functional inputscontrolled through the user interface 230 include, for example, anability to select a monetary amount per wager, and ability to select atleast one card feature for wagering, and an ability to select that avirtual deck of playing cards be shuffled and/or cut such that allfeatures of a resultant top card are revealed to a user on the display260 after the cards are shuffled and/or cut.

FIG. 4 illustrates a first embodiment of a user interface image 300displayed by the processor-based system 200 of FIG. 3, in accordancewith various aspects of the present invention. The image 300 shows thevarious wagering options including the four suits 310, the thirteen facevalues 320, and the fifty-two individual cards 330. Also, a Joker card340 is shown.

The odds associated with the various wagering options are shown in FIG.4 as 4-to-1 for the suits 310, 13-to-1 for the face values 320, and52-to-1 for the individual cards 330 and the Joker 340. The image 300also shows various functional options including bet 350, clear cards360, deal 370 and exit 380. A cash amount 390 and a bet amount 395 arealso displayed as part of the image 300.

As an example, a player may use a mouse (part of user interface 230) toselect an amount to bet per wager. FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of abetting window image 400 displayed by the processor-based system 200 ofFIG. 3, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Theplayer clicks on the bet option 350 and a betting window 410 pops up onthe display 260 as shown in FIG. 5. The monetary denominations of $1,$5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 are shown. A player can bet any amount upto, for example, $1000 by clicking the designated denominations, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, ifa player wants to bet $677, click $100 six times, $50 once, $20 once, $5once, and $1 twice. The amount will appear in the “bet total” box 420.The player then clicks OK and the bet amount appears in the bet optionbox 395. This is the bet amount per wager.

The player then selects at least one feature to bet on such as, forexample, hearts 312. The bet amount, $677, is deducted from the cashamount shown in the cash amount box 390. The player then clicks on thedeal box 370 to initiate shuffling and/or cutting of the cards. FIG. 6Aillustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image 500 used in theprocessor-based system 200 of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that thevirtual deck of cards is being shuffled, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplaryembodiment of a displayed image 510 used in the processor-based system200 of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that the virtual deck of cards isbeing cut, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

7 6A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image 600 usedin the processor-based system 200 of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player thatat least one of his wagers is a winning wager, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention. At the end of shuffling andcutting the deck of cards, if a winning top card 610 is revealed, then awinner panel 620 is displayed to the player indicating that the playerhas correctly guessed at least one feature of the resultant top card610. The cash amount in the displayed cash box 390 is then credited withthe amount of winnings according to the amount bet and the odds.

FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image 630used in the processor-based system 200 of FIG. 3 to indicate to a playerthat none of his wagers are a winning wager, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. For example, if a losing top card 640is revealed, then a loser panel 650 is displayed to the playerindicating that the player has not correctly guessed any features of theresultant top card 640.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of a user interface image 700displayed by the processor-based system 200 of FIG. 3, in accordancewith various aspects of the present invention. The image 700 shows thevarious wagering options that can be made including the thirteen facevalues 710, the colors red or black 720, and the four suits 730. Thecolor per face value 740 (e.g., ace and red) and the suit per face value750 (e.g., ace and spade) are also shown. For example, a player mayselect the spade 712 under the king 711. Such a combination indicatesthat the player is selecting the individual card of the king of spadesto wager on.

The odds associated with the various wagering options are shown in FIG.8 as 3-to-1 for the suits 730, 12-to-1 for the face values 710, 50-to-1for the individual cards 750, 2-to-1 for the colors red or black 720,and 25-to-1 for a color per face value combination 740. Variousfunctional options including bet, clear cards, deal and exit (which arenot shown) may also be provided as in FIG. 4. A cash amount and a betamount (which are not shown) may also be displayed as part of the image700.

For example, if a player desires to wager that the top card will resultin a seven of hearts, the player would place a monetary bet and click onthe heart symbol 751 which is aligned directly under the number seven[7] 753 on the displayed image 700. The same rationale is used in orderto wager on a specific card face value including the specification ofred/black suit. Here, in order to wager on, for example, a red seven,the player would click on the red portion 752 of the red/black symbolaligned directly under the number seven [7] 753.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the variouswagering options presented in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8 may be implemented on aphysical playing surface layout where real playing cards and chips areused to place wagers. Such an embodiment provides a dealer to shuffle,cut, and flip the top card, and at least one player to place wagers.Such an embodiment constitutes a non-virtual version of the method ofFIG. 2. In such an embodiment, a player “buys in” or purchases chips ofa specific color or pattern distinct from any other player currentlyplaying.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a playing surface layout800 depicting the positioning of multiple players 810, a dealer 820, andstaff 830 for a non-virtual version of the method 100 of FIG. 2, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention. Playingsurface layout 800 includes a plurality of playing positions 810,sixteen seating positions in the depicted embodiment. The dealer 820 ispositioned at the head of the table with assistants 830 to each side.The assistants monitor the wagers and assist in payoff following eachround of play.

Even though FIG. 9 depicts a playing surface and table that accommodatesup to sixteen players, another embodiment of the present inventionsuggests a playing surface half the size to accommodate up to eightplayers. It may be appreciated that numerous playing variations andcombinations could be applied to the fundamental principles of thepresent invention. The method of the present invention may be practicedby a single player or by multiple players, wherein the player(s) playagainst a house dealer, against a player banker, or each other in a nobank format.

Although certain embodiments suggest payoff odds for specific wagers, itis contemplated that the odds may be modified to accommodate variablesand preferences of individual casinos or houses. For instance, aspecific casino may choose to structure the odds to attract playerswhere others may choose to hold back on the odds giving the house anedge over the players.

Certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate distinct chippatterns for each player. However, another embodiment includes standardcolor chips corresponding to a specific monetary denomination. Therationale behind the distinct chip patterns of certain embodiments is topermit the players, dealer and staff to easily distinguish one player'swagers from the others.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a playing surface layout900 to accommodate position betting for a non-virtual version of themethod 100 of FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention. FIG. 10 depicts an alternative method of distinguishing theplayers'bets on the playing surface 900. A box 910 permits “positionbetting” such as the method used in the commonly known game of craps. Inposition betting, each box 910 is separated into segments correspondingto the players'positions around the playing surface. For example, theplayer whose position corresponds to the upper right hand comer of a box910 would place the desired wager in the upper right hand comer of thatbox 910.

It is further contemplated in another embodiment of the presentinvention that a player may use other forms of wagers including, but notlimited to, cash and coins while playing the game of the presentinvention.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, one ordinarilyskilled in the art would realize that the present invention could beplayed using more than one deck of cards. Additionally, it is understoodthat custom cards may be used in lieu of standard conventional playingcards. Accordingly, the odds of each wager would change to correspond tothe probability of a specific wager in light of the use of multipledecks or custom cards.

In yet another embodiment, a Joker or equivalent “wild card” may beinserted into the deck as an additional card. In this embodiment, if theJoker or “wild card” is the card flipped by the dealer as the top card,all pending wagers are lost and the house wins. This feature is similarto the “0” or “00” feature in the commonly known game of roulette or the“crap out” feature in the commonly known game of Craps.

A symbol for the Joker or “wild card” may also be added in order toallow a player to wager on the Joker or “wild card” appearing as theflipped card. In this embodiment, the odds for selecting the Joker or“wild card” would be, for example, “50 to 1” which is calculatedconsidering that there would be potentially 53 possibilities of the cardappearing as the flipped card.

Similar to the casino game of roulette, a “red-black” betting option mayalso be added to increase the wagering alternatives. This option willallow a player to bet solely on the color of the suit of the cardflipped. It is contemplated that the odds for a “red-black” wager wouldbe 2 to 1.

Another wagering option may be added to permit the players to attempt topredict if the face value of the flipped card is “odd” or “even”. Forexample, the “2”, “4”, “6”, “8” and “10” of every suite will bedesignated as “even” and the “Ace”, “3”, “5”, “7” and “9” of every suitewill be designated as “odd”. Utilizing this option, the player willplace the wager on the corresponding section of the playing surface. Ifthe player chooses correctly, it is contemplated that the player willreceive a 20 to 1 odd on the wager. In the event that the flipped cardis a face card, the wagers may ride or remain and the next card on thedeck is flipped until a non-face card is flipped to determine thewinners and losers. Additionally, it is contemplated that a face cardcan act as a “crap out” feature making all the current bets losers andaccordingly the house a winner on all bets.

In summary, embodiments of the present invention provide a system andmethod for playing a card game that combines the apparent attractivenessof other types of casino games and wagering with a user-friendly methodof play, while still prompting the spontaneous wagering on the variousodds money bets. Manual, mechanical, and computerized versions of thecard game are contemplated.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method of playing a card game, said method comprising: providing atleast one randomly selected representation of at least one playing card;placing at least one wager by betting a monetary amount relating to atleast one feature of the at least one randomly selected representationof at least one playing card before any feature of said at least onecard is revealed; selectively revealing all features of said at leastone card; and paying any winning wager relating to said monetary amountbet.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of cards are used andthe features of each of said plurality of cards is selectively revealed.3. The method of claim 1 wherein a deck of playing cards is used,comprising a conventional deck of 52 cards.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein said at least one feature is selected from the group consistingof a face value of a card, a suit of a card, a red color of a card, ablack color of a card, and a joker.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein aplurality of wagers are available to the player, with each of the wagershave varying odds.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality ofwagers comprise varying odds wagers for the face value of a card, a suitof a card, a red color of a card, a black color of a card, and a joker.7. The method of claim 5 wherein the odds for a color are 2-to-1, theodds for the suits are 4-to-1, the odds for the face values are 13-to-1,the odds for the suit and face value of individual cards and for theJoker is 52-to-1.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said winning wagerincludes any wager whose guessed features of said at least one card aretrue features of said at least one card.
 9. The method of claim 1wherein said at least one card is virtual and said method is implementedas an electronic card game.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said atleast one card is represented on a ticket, and said method isimplemented as a lottery game.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein saidcard game is played virtually on a processor-based apparatus, andwherein said processor-based apparatus comprises a personal computerwhich is programmed, via software, to implement at least said method.12. The method of claim 1 wherein said card game is played virtually ona processor-based apparatus, and wherein said processor-based apparatuscomprises a hand-held electronic device which is programmed, viasoftware, to implement at least said method.
 13. The method of claim 1wherein said card game is played virtually on a processor-basedapparatus, and wherein said processor-based apparatus comprises astandalone video-poker type of electronic system which is programmed,via software, to implement at least said method.
 14. The method of claim1 wherein said card game is played virtually by accessing a softwareimplementation of said card game from a server, via the Internet, usinga personal computer.
 15. The method of claim 2 wherein the plurality ofcards are revealed simultaneously.
 16. The method of claim 2 wherein theplurality of cards are revealed consecutively.
 17. The method of claim 2wherein the plurality of cards are each used for a different wagers. 18.The method of claim 2 wherein the plurality of cards are each used forwagers placed by the user.
 19. The method of claim 2 wherein the firstcard flipped may be designated for paying off wagering related to suit,a second card flipped for paying off wagering related to the card facevalue, and a third card flipped for paying off wagering related to bothsuit and face value.
 20. A processor-based system for implementing avirtual card game, said processor-based system comprising: at least oneprocessor to execute playing of said virtual card game, and wherein saidplaying of said virtual card game comprises the steps of providing atleast one representation of at least one randomly selected card,electronically placing at least one wager by betting a monetary amountand attempting to correctly guess at least one feature of the at leastone randomly selected card before any feature of said at least one cardis revealed, electronically flipping said at least one card to revealall features of said at least one card, and electronically paying anywinning wager according to said monetary amount bet; a program memoryinterfacing to said at least one processor to store software associatedwith said virtual card game; and a user interface connecting to said atleast one processor to allow a player of said virtual card game todisplay game information and select various functional inputs of saidvirtual card game.